Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, is travelling to some of the poorest and most violent parts of Mexico on a six-day trip with a message of hope for millions of marginalised people. Speaking during a rally in Michoacan state, which has witnessed violent gang wars, the Pope advised youths to shun the lure of easy money and big cars offered by drug traffickers. Francis also commented on how Mexican authorities have failed to provide opportunities for the young.

"It is hard to feel the wealth of a nation when there are no opportunities for dignified work, no possibilities for study or advancement, when you feel your rights are being trampled on, which then leads you to extreme situations," the Pontiff told the crowds gathered at the Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon stadium.

A girl is overcome with emotion after greeting Pope Francis at the cathedral in Morelia, MexicoTomas Bravo/ ReutersPope Francis hugs two girls during a meeting with youths at the Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon stadium in Morelia, MexicoCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ ReutersA woman reacts as Pope Francis meets with youths at the Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon stadium in Morelia, MexicoMax Rossi/ ReutersPope Francis addresses the audience during a meeting with youths at the Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon stadium in Morelia, MexicoCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ Reuters

Arguing Jesus would never ask them to be "hitmen" the Pope, who was visiting Morelia, the capital of Michoacan, Mexico, where gang wars over the methamphetamine trade have torn the state apart with widespread kidnappings and extortion by gangs. The turf wars has also sparked an uprising by vigilante groups who preach to the young not to fall into the easy money-making traps that society has led them to believe was acceptable.

"It is a lie to believe that the only way to live, or to be young, is to entrust oneself to drug dealers or others who do nothing but sow destruction and death," Pope Francis told young people at the rally in Morelia.

A nun participates in a mass by Pope Francis at Venustiano Carranza stadium in Morelia, MexicoMax Rossi/ ReutersMembers of the clergy participate in a Mass by Pope Francis at Venustiano Carranza stadium in Morelia, MexicoHenry Romero/ ReutersPope Francis is seen in the midst of flags during a meeting with youths at the Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon stadium in Morelia, MexicoCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ ReutersNuns participate in a mass by Pope Francis at Venustiano Carranza stadium in Morelia, MexicoMax Rossi/ ReutersMembers of the clergy participate in a mass by Pope Francis at Venustiano Carranza stadium in Morelia, MexicoHenry Romero/ ReutersNuns, members of the clergy, and crowds participate in a mass by Pope Francis at Venustiano Carranza stadium in Morelia, MexicoMax Rossi/ ReutersPope Francis celebrates a mass at Venustiano Carranza stadium in Morelia, MexicoMax Rossi/ ReutersYouths gather during a meeting with Pope Francis at the Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon stadium in Morelia, MexicoCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ ReutersA man sells key-chains in the likeness of Pope Francis in downtown Morelia, in the Mexican state of MichoacanTomas Bravo/ ReutersA street vendor sells t-shirts with images of Pope Francis in Morelia, MexicoCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ ReutersCrowds wait for Pope Francis to drive past in Morelia, MexicoCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ ReutersSoldiers stand guard on a street as crowds wait for Pope Francis to drive past in Morelia, MexicoAlan Ortega/ ReutersCrowds wait for Pope Francis to drive past in Morelia, MexicoCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ ReutersYouths cheer during a meeting with Pope Francis at the Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon stadium in Morelia, MexicoCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ ReutersCrowds assemble on a road while watching a gathering of youths with Pope Francis (seen on screen) at the Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon stadium in Morelia, MexicoMax Rossi/ Reuters

More than 100,000 people have been killed in Mexico's drug war over the last decade, as rival gangs fight over territory and smuggling routes to the US. This has proved a dilemma for the young people of Mexico, who feel they have no option but to turn to crime in order to make money in order to survive.

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